A mod calls Microsoft into action. Because this mod practically revives the discontinued Halo Online. Furthermore, users outside Russia can finally play Halo Online with it. After Microsoft had some discussions with the mod providers, there are now temporary bans for streamers of Halo Online on Twitch.
The discontinued Halo Online was actually only intended for the Russian market. However, it now occupies the Halo community. Because there is a mod that revived the game and represents the only way to play Halo multiplayer on PC. But that called Microsoft into action.
The company held talks with the mod providers and did not initiate any legal action. However, the game’s streamers are getting hit hard. The situation seems convoluted, but numerous streamers of the mod received temporary bans on Twitch in recent hours.
343 Industries, the studio responsible for continuing the Halo franchise and also involved in the development of Halo Online, states that it is as surprised by the bans as the streamers themselves.
Halo Online was initially only intended for Russia
What is Halo Online? Halo Online is a free-to-play PC version of the Halo multiplayer and was initially only intended for the Russian market. Since 2014, the shooter has been in development in collaboration between Microsoft, 343i, and Sabre Interactive.
Halo Online was announced in March 2015, but was discontinued in August 2016. Allegedly, Microsoft was somewhat uncooperative regarding the future of the shooter. The work on the game was subsequently abandoned.
Even back then, modders from the community tried to make Halo Online playable in the West. But even then, Microsoft already acted against those attempts.
How does Microsoft react to the ElDewrito mod?
What is ElDewrito? ElDewrito is the community-created mod for Halo Online, whose sole purpose is to allow the discontinued shooter to be played further. So far, there is no other way to play Halo Online and thus the franchises’ multiplayer on PC.
However, the multiplayer code of the mod is based on that of Halo 3 and also the assets of Halo Online are neither “Open Source” nor “Abandonware” and therefore not released for the community, according to Microsoft. Many elements of the code and additional contents are still actively used today and will continue to do so in the future.
Will Halo be available for PC in the future? To protect its own IP, Microsoft has held talks with the team behind ElDewrito to prevent further spread of the mod. Furthermore, they are pleased that the community truly wants more Halo on PC.
Although the company currently has no official news to announce, they are presenting a promising official classic Halo experience for PC in the future. They hope to collaborate with the ElDewrito team and a broader community for mod and content creation.
Streamers of the mod have to pay the price
The mod providers get off lightly, but not the streamers: While Microsoft seemed conciliatory a few days ago regarding the mod and its developers, it became known today that some streamers were temporarily banned from Twitch after Microsoft reported copyright violations.
Prominent representatives, such as Summit1G and GiantWaffle, who also streamed Halo Online on their channels, were apparently exempt from the suspensions. Archived videos from all streamers showing gameplay from the Halo Online mod were removed by the streaming platform, however.
The community manager of 343 Industries, Brian Jarrard, has been in contact with some of the affected streamers. The studio is just as surprised about the bans as the streamers themselves. They are currently in talks with Twitch and Microsoft to ensure clarity in this case.
The studio understands that Microsoft wants to prevent the streaming of Halo Online as protection for their IP. However, 343 does not want players to be banned for this, especially not without warning.
